Chinese Porcelain Treasures from New Jersey at Tenmoku Auctions

Even though New York Asia Week wrapped up just a couple of days ago, there are still numerous Asian art themed-auctions going on at Bidsquare! One of the most exciting sales is at Tenmoku Auctions in Fairfield NJ. 

On September 30, Tenmoku will be offering over 250 lots in their ‘Chinese Ceramics & Asian Works of Art’ auction, with most originating from China and Japan. These include bronze sculptures, earthenware figures, mark and period porcelain, Buddhist art, jade carvings, domestic furniture and scroll paintings.

The highlight of the sale is lot 60, a Chinese celadon glazed double gourd vase with a rare Yongzheng mark on the base. The mark suggests a dating of 1723-1735 and the vase’s form is extremely elegant.

Double gourds have a significant meaning in Chinese culture. Since it consists of two spherical halves, double gourds can often symbolize heaven and earth. They are also associated with Daoism since many Chinese immortals carry these gourds around because of their magical properties.

This particular vase has a beautiful celadon glaze on the surface, and its base has an unusual six-character Yongzheng mark in an archaistic scholarly script. It carries an estimate of $50,000-$70,000.

Also in the Tenmoku auction is lot 43, a Chinese blue and white ‘dragon’ zhadou. Estimated at $30,000-$50,000, this piece is dated to the Zhengde reign (1505-1521) of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Zhadous are essentially spittoons, and their shapes are influenced by metalwork examples from the Middle East. This porcelain vessel is important because it is an amalgamation of Middle Eastern and Chinese decorations. The elegant blue and white dragons are distinctly Chinese, and are showcased throughout the spittoon’s body amongst scrolling vines and lotus blooms.     

Finally at Tenmoku Auctions is lot 100, a Chinese famille rose fish bowl from the Daoguang Period (1821-1850). This bowl has an endearing image of gold fishes swimming amongst water plants. The interior is finely painted in blue and white with a central medallion of florals including peonies, roses and chrysanthemums. Around this medallion are four more floral branches. This fine bowl is estimated at $4,000-$6,000.

Click here to view the full catalog of Tenmoku Auction’s sale of Asian Art on September 30.

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Images: 

Lot 60, A Chinese Celadon Glazed Double Gourd Vase, Yongzheng Period. Estimate $50,000-$70,000

https://www.bidsquare.com/online-auctions/tenmoku-auctions-inc/chinese-celadon-glazed-gourd-vase-yongzheng-period-5349859

Lot 43, A Chinese Blue and White ‘Dragon’ Zhadou, Zhengde Period. Estimate $30,000-$50,000

https://www.bidsquare.com/online-auctions/tenmoku-auctions-inc/chinese-blue-white-zhadou-w-dragon-zhengde-period-5349842

Lot 100, A Chinese Famille Rose Fish Bowl, Daoguang Period. Estimate $4,000-$6,000

https://www.bidsquare.com/online-auctions/tenmoku-auctions-inc/chinese-famille-rose-fish-bowl-daoguang-period-5349899